Method #1: How to Light a Charcoal Grill with a Charcoal Chimney

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1. Set up your grill: Remove the top grate of your grill. Open the bottom air vent on the grill all the way, which helps generate airflow to the charcoal briquettes.
2. Fill the charcoal chimney: Place the charcoal chimney on top of the charcoal grate (the second grate, still in the grill). Add your charcoal briquettes of choice to the charcoal chimney, filling the chimney just below the top. When it comes to charcoal briquettes, I’m partial to Kingsford Matchlight since it catches quickly without using any lighter fluid.
3. Light the charcoal: Place crumpled up paper or lighter cubes under the charcoal chimney. Using a long-handled lighter, light the paper or lighter cubes, which become the heat source that lights the charcoal briquettes. Let the charcoal burn in the chimney until it is gray & ashy, about 10-20 minutes depending on your charcoal. You just lit your grill, congrats!!! 🙌🏼
4. Arrange the charcoal: Once the charcoal is hot (it will look gray & ashy), carefully pour the charcoal out of the chimney onto the grate. Use grill tongs to arrange the charcoal on the grate as desired. (Note: depending on your chimney, the handles may be very hot. Be sure to use heat-resistant gloves if you need to!)
5. Heat the grill grate: Place the top grill grate back on the grill, & put the lid of your grill on to heat to your desired grilling temperature. Once hot, grill as desired, carefully using the bottom damper on the grill to adjust airflow as needed (more air = hotter grill, less air = colder grill).
6. How to shut a charcoal grill off: When you’re done with your charcoal grill carefully close the top & bottom dampers (they may be hot!) & let the charcoal burn itself out.

Method #2: How to Light a Charcoal Grill without a Charcoal Chimney

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1. Set up your grill: Remove the top grate of your grill. Open the bottom air vent on the grill all the way – this will help generate airflow to the charcoal briquettes.
2. Add the charcoal: Arrange the charcoal briquettes into a pyramid on the charcoal grate, using enough briquettes so that when spread out they make a consistent, even layer. If the weather is cold or damp, you’ll need to use more charcoal than if it’s dry & warm.
3. Prepare the charcoal: Nestle lighter cubes into the bottom of your charcoal pyramid. If you do not have lighter cubes, soak the charcoal with lighter fluid for 3-5 minutes. Note: lighter fluid is highly flammable. If you get any on yourself or your clothing, be sure to wash it off or change clothing before lighting the grill – we don’t want to BBQ you, too!
4. Light the charcoal: If you’re using lighter fluid, add a little more fluid to moisten the outside of the charcoal briquettes just before lighting. Use a long-handled lighter to carefully light a few sides at the base of the pyramid, or ignite the lighter cubes. Allow charcoal to burn until it is gray and ashy (10-20 minutes). You just lit your grill, congrats!!! 🙌🏼
5. Arrange the charcoal: Once the charcoal is hot (it will look gray & ashy), carefully use a pair of grill tongs to arrange the charcoal as desired.
6. Heat the grill grate: Place the top grill grate back on the grill, & put the lid of your grill on to heat to your desired grilling temperature. Once hot, grill as desired, carefully using the bottom damper on the grill to adjust airflow as needed (more air = hotter grill, less air = colder grill). 
7. How to shut a charcoal grill off: When you’re done with your charcoal grill carefully close the top & bottom dampers (they may be hot!) & let the charcoal burn itself out.